Lockout device for preventing disconnection of cable connector

Abstract

A lockout device includes a first ring portion positioned around a first side of a connector. A second ring portion is positioned around a second side of the connector. A fastener allows a user to selectively secure the ring portions thereby forming a tubular ring surrounding the connector. An inner facing protrusion extends toward a center of the tubular ring and into a gap present on the connector. The inner facing protrusion remains in the gap of the connector regardless of movement of the lockout device about the connector while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion. The inner facing protrusion holds the lockout device captive around the connector and the tubular ring covers a disconnection mechanism of the connector. A secondary tool is required in order to detach the first ring portion from the second ring portion for accessing the disconnection mechanism of the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lockout device for preventing disconnection of a cable from a connector, the lockout device comprising:
 a first ring portion for positioning around a first side of the connector; 
 a second ring portion for positioning around a second side of the connector; 
 a fastener allowing a user to selectively secure the first ring portion to the second ring portion thereby forming a tubular ring surrounding the connector; and 
 an inner facing protrusion on at least one of the first ring portion and the second ring portion that extends into a gap present on the connector; 
 wherein the inner facing protrusion is of sufficient length such that at least a portion of the inner facing protrusion remains in the gap of the connector regardless of movement of the lockout device about the connector while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion, the inner facing protrusion thereby holding the lockout device captive around the connector such that the connector cannot be slid out of the tubular ring while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion; 
 the inner facing protrusion comprises a ridge on an inner facing side of both the first ring portion and the second ring portion; 
 the ridge forms a locator ring that positions and holds the lockout device captive on the connector while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion; 
 the tubular ring covers a disconnection mechanism of the connector such that the disconnection mechanism of the connector is inaccessible to the user while the lockout device is held captive on the connector, the disconnection mechanism being provided by the connector for allowing the user to disconnect the cable from the connector by interacting with the disconnection mechanism; and 
 the fastener requires the user to utilize a secondary tool in order to detach the first ring portion from the second ring portion for accessing the disconnection mechanism of the connector. 
 
     
     
       2. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein the locator ring extends into the gap formed between a locking ring of the connector and a back shell of the connector. 
     
     
       3. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein the locator ring extends into the gap formed between a connector mounting post and a panel base to which the connector is mounted. 
     
     
       4. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the disconnection mechanism of the connector is a locking ring; and 
 the first ring portion and the second ring portion together enclose the locking ring such that the locking ring is inaccessible to the user while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion. 
 
     
     
       5. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is selected from the group comprising a set screw and a hinge. 
     
     
       6. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein a thread on the fastener is peened at a position intermediate the first ring portion and the second ring portion such that the fastener cannot be removed from both the first ring portion and the second ring portion. 
     
     
       7. The lockout device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners securing the first ring portion to the second ring portion. 
     
     
       8. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first ring portion attaches to the second ring portion in part utilizing a hinge pin permanently installed through a hinge assembly on the first ring portion and the second ring portion; and 
 the first ring portion and the second ring portion are rotatable around the hinge pin such that in an open position the lockout device can be placed around the connector by the user, and in a closed position the lockout device is held captive around the connector. 
 
     
     
       9. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring portion and the second ring portion are C-shaped. 
     
     
       10. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring portion and the second ring portion together further enclose a second disconnection mechanism of an angled connector attached to the connector such that the second disconnection mechanism is also inaccessible to the user while the lockout device is held captive on the connector. 
     
     
       11. The lockout device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 while the first ring portion and the second ring portion are secured together, they form a plurality of tubular rings for enclosing a plurality of connectors; and 
 the first ring portion and the second ring portion further enclose respective disconnection mechanisms of the plurality of connectors such that each of the disconnection mechanisms is inaccessible to the user while the lockout device is held captive on the plurality of connectors. 
 
     
     
       12. A method of preventing disconnection of a cable from a connector, the method comprising:
 positioning a first ring portion around a first side of the connector; 
 positioning a second ring portion around a second side of the connector; 
 utilizing a fastener to selectively secure the first ring portion to the second ring portion thereby forming a lockout device with a tubular ring shape surrounding the connector; and 
 ensuring an inner facing protrusion on at least one of the first ring portion and the second ring portion extends into a gap present on the connector; 
 wherein the inner facing protrusion is of sufficient length such that at least a portion of the inner facing protrusion remains in the gap of the connector regardless of movement of the lockout device about the connector while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion, the inner facing protrusion thereby holding the lockout device captive around the connector such that the connector cannot be slid out of the tubular ring while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion; 
 the inner facing protrusion comprises a ridge on an inner facing side of both the first ring portion and the second ring portion; 
 the ridge forms a locator ring that positions and holds the lockout device captive on the connector while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion; 
 the tubular ring covers a disconnection mechanism of the connector such that the disconnection mechanism of the connector is inaccessible to a user while the lockout device is held captive on the connector, the disconnection mechanism being provided by the connector for allowing the user to disconnect the cable from the connector by interacting with the disconnection mechanism; and 
 the fastener requires the user to utilize a secondary tool in order to detach the first ring portion from the second ring portion for accessing the disconnection mechanism of the connector. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning the locator ring such that it extends into the gap formed between a locking ring of the connector and a backshell of the connector. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning the locator ring such that it extends into the gap formed between a connector mounting post and a panel base to which the connector is mounted. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the disconnection mechanism of the connector is a locking ring; and 
 the first ring portion and the second ring portion together enclose the locking ring such that the locking ring is inaccessible to the user while the first ring portion is secured to the second ring portion. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first ring portion and the second ring portion together further enclose a second disconnection mechanism of an angled connector attached to the connector such that the second disconnection mechanism is also inaccessible to the user while the lockout device is held captive on the connector. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 while the first ring portion and the second ring portion are secured together, they form a plurality of tubular rings for enclosing a plurality of connectors; and 
 the first ring portion and the second ring portion further enclose respective disconnection mechanisms of the plurality of connectors such that each of the disconnection mechanisms is inaccessible to the user while the lockout device is held captive on the plurality of connectors. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first ring portion and the second ring portion are C-shaped.